More Fractal Fragments
Fractal Films: Dragonslayer (1981)
Well, this is one I haven’t seen for a while, although it’s a classic BBC 2 Saturday afternoon film- and in fact, that’s the very time and place I caught it.
Trading off of the early 80s Star Wars / Conan vibe, I don’t believe this film has ever been particularly well thought of. In fact, I honestly don’t recall whether or not I’ve ever heard anyone talk about the movie, never mind write about it. That said, it’s the kind of film that must have a cultish following- the kind of thing that’s bound to be someone’s all-time favourite, if only because they saw it at an early age.
Not a bad film at all, all things considered. Peter MacNichol (later to rise to the heights of supporting actor in Ally McBeal and Creepy Stereotypical Foreigner in Ghostbusters 2) is the unlikely sorceror’s apprentice hero. There’s an unsubtle message about the age of magic (represented by the dragon) being replaced by the age of organised religion (represented by Ian “Will be remembered as Emperor Palpatine despite being an award-winning Shakespearean actor” McDiarmid being squished by a tree).
But the highlight of the flick is undoubtably the dragon. It isn’t really revealed until the last 15 minutes or so, but to be fair the animatronic head and go-motion full body models are really creepy. It only really looks duff in the flying scenes, which unfortunately mostly occur during the climax. Oh, and the North Wales scenery where it was filmed is awesome, too.
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Volume 1
I’ve seen a number of positive reviews of the above in a few different places, so I picked it up after spotting its muted brown cover amongst the technicolour vomit explosion of Borders’ manga section.
I probably couldn’t have picked a better title to pick up after the long gap since last reading manga. Great creepy artwork, an interesting premise (a group of Buddhist students steal corpses to fulfil the post-mortem wishes of the unfortunate souls to let them find peace) and a pretty good translation. It took a while to get used to reading the panels from right to left, but I didn’t find it as distracting as I have in the past.
The only real criticism is I didn’t get why the main characters didn’t find the whole talking-to-the-dead stuff surprising at all. Not sure whether it’s meant to be commonplace within the story’s setting, if I missed something, or if it’s a deliberate choice the writer made. That said, I’ll certainly pick up volume 2 if I see it.
on January 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I’ve not seen Dragonslayer for years, but I saw it when it was first out, (I was only a small Mick back then) and the dragon in it scared the shit out of me. I think I saw a bit of it again recently, and it wasn’t as good as I remembered (but then, what is?). I think the dragon FX have mostly held up, though.
The theme you mentioned about the age of magic being lost to the rise of Christianity is used again in the recent Beowulf, and this is seen as bad thing, the time of legends being gone, and replaced by Christ. In fact, it’s seen as such a bad thing, the Christian mouthpiece in the film (John Malkovich) is a snivelling, obnoxious, murdering coward, and ends up getting cooked by a very legendary and magical dragon. As advanced as this movie is, though, with its Mo-Cap CGI and 3-D, I guarantee the dragon won’t look as good in twenty-five years as Dragonslayer’s does now.
Crappy trivia fact: I don’t know if you know this, but easy listening merchants Slayer were originally named ‘Dragonslayer’ after the movie, and it got whittled down to the more punchy name we know them by now.
on January 10th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Things like this are never as good as anyone remembers. Which reminds me, do not ever watch Gerry Anderson’s Terrahawks as an adult.
With Dragonslayer, much like Ray Harryhausen films, the effects aren’t so much about being realistic, as being effective, and I think they do the job quite nicely, even now. I haven’t got round to Beowulf yet- any good?
Also, while you’re on the line (as it were), we’re thinking of starting doing some webcomics on the site later this year. You wouldn’t know any artists who’s be up for that kind of thing, or where the best place to go and ask around for one would be?
on January 12th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I didn’t think Terrahawks was that good as a youngster- too many bleedin’ Kate Kestrel (was that her name?) songs!
I thought Beowulf was excellent, and it’s one you have to see at the cinema in 3-D, it just won’t be the same at home on DVD. It’s an action movie primarily, but it’s also a movie about the nature of myth. Beware though, the 3-D glasses they give you make you look like Kim Jong-Il !
Well, later in the year, I might be available for webcomic stuff, that’s if I’m not already a famous professional comics artist by then. I reckon I’ll be available. You could also ask other members of the MC2 collective, our website is here:
http://www.comicscollective.co.uk/
If you go into the ‘Meet the collective’ page, our contact details are all on there. Also, there’s photos and stuff on there of us all, and just remember that the internet adds twenty pounds- I’m not really that fat!
on January 13th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Good plan- cheers for the info, sir!